The morning after Ishan's chaotic visit, Shubman found himself questioning every life decision that had brought him to this moment. Specifically, the moment where he was forced into his own car with Aditi for a long drive to his parents' house.

"You drive like a grandpa," Aditi muttered, fiddling with the radio as she scrolled past every station he actually liked.

"Grandpa? At least I'm not the one who screamed 'slow down' when I hit 60 last week," he shot back, gripping the steering wheel a little harder.

"Safety first, Shubi," she replied sweetly, using the nickname she knew he despised.

The sun blazed brightly as Shubman and Aditi made their way to his parents' house, the drive feeling significantly longer than it was, thanks to Aditi's endless commentary.

"You could at least pretend to be excited about this," Aditi said, crossing her arms as she stared out of the window.

"I am excited," Shubman replied flatly, his tone making it clear he wasn't.

"Sure," Aditi said, rolling her eyes. "You're so thrilled, I can hardly contain my joy sitting next to you."

He glanced at her briefly. "Maybe if you didn't talk so much, you'd feel more joy."

"Talking too much? That's rich coming from you, Mr. Silent Treatment."

"I'm not giving you the silent treatment," Shubman replied, keeping his eyes on the road. "I'm trying to focus. You know, so we don't die."

Aditi scoffed. "Haan, haan, Shubman Verstappen, Formula One driver."

Shubman exhaled sharply. "If you hate my driving so much, why don't you drive?"

"Because I like being alive, obviously," she shot back, smirking at his annoyed expression.

A few minutes of blessed silence passed, before Aditi spoke again. "Do your parents even know we're coming? Or do you just like to show up unannounced like the beta who can do no wrong?"

"They know," Shubman replied curtly.

"Hmm," Aditi said skeptically. "I'll believe that when I see it. Your mom probably loves surprises, but I bet your sister—"

"Di will be fine," Shubman interrupted.

"Right," Aditi muttered. "Because she'll be pleased to see me after i didn't inform her about us coming."

Shubman suppressed a smile, remembering how his older sister and Aditi, despite being best friends had always fought over the pettiest things. "She tolerates you. Isn't that enough?"

"Wow, bahut badhiya pati you are," Aditi said, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"Can't argue with that," Shubman replied, smirking slightly, which only fueled Aditi's glare.

The rest of the drive was spent in strained silence, punctuated by Aditi's occasional muttered complaints about the heat, his music choices, and life in general. By the time they reached, Shubman felt he'd aged a decade.

The moment they stepped into the house, Shubman's mother, Keart, greeted them with her characteristic warmth. "Oh my god! You guys are here!?" she exclaimed, pulling Aditi into a tight hug before turning to her son. "Shubman, tu kabhi call bhi karke kyun nahi aata?!"

"Mumma, I told you yesterday," Shubman said, though he already knew the protest was futile.

Aditi, of course, jumped at the chance to side with Keart. "Exactly, mumma. Aapke laadle ko laga, bas bata diya toh ho gaya kaam."

Keart laughed, patting Aditi's cheek fondly. "Tu toh bilkul sahi bol rahi hai, beta."

Shubman groaned inwardly as he carried their bags inside. His father, Lakhwinder, gave him a small nod from the couch, while Shahneel, his older sister, stood in the kitchen doorway with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, if it isn't Bhabhi No. 1," Shahneel teased, her tone a mix of affection and mischief.

Aditi grinned. "Hi, Shah. Missed me?"

"Hardly. I mean who would miss their so called best friend who forgets to inform them about her arrival? What about you?"

"Not really, but it's nice to see you, I guess," Aditi replied, earning a glare from her best friend.

"Stop fighting girls, lunch is almost ready," Keart said, ushering everyone toward the dining table. "But first, Aditi beta, come help me in the kitchen. Shubman, fridge se dahi nikaal."

Shubman wandered into the kitchen to grab the yogurt from the fridge, only to find Aditi standing in front of it, rummaging through the shelves.

"You're in my way," he said flatly, placing a hand on the fridge door.

"Patience, Shubi," Aditi teased, not moving. "I'm looking for the—"

She turned around abruptly, only to find herself boxed in between him and the fridge. Her breath hitched slightly as she realized how close they were, his chest almost brushing hers.

Shubman smirked, leaning in just a little. "Looking for what, exactly?"

"Move," Aditi said, her voice sharper than she intended.

"Not until you say please."

Her eyes narrowed. "Not happening."

He leaned in a fraction closer, his smirk growing. "You sure?"

Aditi's pulse raced as she met his gaze, her annoyance battling with something softer, something she refused to acknowledge. "Shubman, hatto."

"Yeh toh please nahi laga," he murmured, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on her.

"Shubman Gill, fridge ke saamne nautanki bandh kar!" Keart's voice rang out, startling both of them.

Shubman stepped back quickly, the moment broken, while Aditi shoved the curd into his hands with a glare. "Next time, I'm locking you out of the kitchen," she muttered, her cheeks still slightly flushed.

"Next time, just say please," he replied with a wink before walking out, leaving her fuming.

Lunch was an elaborate spread, with Keart's famous butter chicken, rajma, and pulao taking center stage. The table was lively, with Keart fussing over whether Aditi had eaten enough and Shahneel firing off teasing remarks at her younger brother and best friend.

"I'm telling you, mumma, Shubman is impossible to live with," Aditi declared dramatically as she spooned more rajma onto her plate.

"Tell me about it." Shahneel cackled, earning herself a glare from her brother.

Lakhwinder chuckled softly, while Keart frowned. "Kya kiya isne ab?"

"Where do I even start?" Aditi said, feigning exasperation. "He leaves his clothes everywhere, never replaces the empty water bottles, and mujhe lagta hai ke woh jaan-bujh kar hogi toh lights on chhod deta hai!"

Shahneel burst out laughing. "Sounds about right."

Shubman scowled. "You're just making stuff up now."

"Oh, really?" Aditi said, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to bring up the time you left your cricket gear in the living room for a week? Or when you—"

"Bas, Aditi!" Shubman interrupted, his ears turning red as Shahneel and Keart exchanged amused glances.

"Aur toh aur," Aditi continued with a smirk, "he has this habit of—"

"Aditi," Shubman warned, his voice low.

"What?" she replied innocently, biting back a grin.

"You two fight like school kids," Keart said, shaking her head. "But you look cute together."

"Cute toh sirf main hoon," Aditi quipped, earning a snort from Shahneel and a glare from Shubman.

Later that evening, while Shubman and his father discussed cricket in the living room, Aditi joined Keart and Shahneel in the kitchen to help prepare dinner.

"I don't know how you deal with him," Shahneel said as Aditi rolled out chapatis.

"Barely," Aditi replied, shaking her head. "He's stubborn, moody, and thinks he's always right."

Shahneel smirked. "Knowing you, he sounds like a perfect match for you, then."

Keart laughed. "You're both too similar, that's why you fight so much."

Aditi paused for a moment, considering the words. As much as she hated to admit it, there was a strange kind of understanding between her and Shubman, even amidst the bickering.

"I guess," she said finally, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Dinner was a quieter affair, with everyone enjoying Keart's delicious food. As the night wore on, Shubman found himself glancing at Aditi more often than he intended, noting the way she fit into his family so seamlessly.

When it was finally time to leave, Keart hugged them both tightly. "Take care of each other," she said, her eyes twinkling with affection.

As they drove home, the bickering was noticeably absent, replaced by a comfortable silence.

"Your mom's cooking is amazing," Aditi said softly, breaking the quiet.

"Yeah," Shubman replied, a small smile playing on his lips.

Aditi glanced at him, surprised by the gentleness in his expression. For a moment, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, this forced relationship wasn't so bad after all.